Decorating
Decorating: The Return of the Hanging Planter
Lush green houseplants suspended from the ceiling bring a jungly vibe to your home – and a splash of retro chic, too
Macramé hanging planters were an interiors staple in the 1970s. Suspended from the ceiling, with a bushy fern or trailing ivy in a simple vessel held within, these planters were a hip way to bring potted plants into your home. Today, the hanging planter is still alive and well, and for good reason. It’s more than simply a nostalgic piece of design; it’s practical, too, allowing you to introduce plants to your home without them cluttering up surfaces or trailing down furniture. Source a planter in retro chic macramé – perhaps with some beads and tassels, too – or choose something more neutral for a sophisticated, contemporary take on hanging out with your houseplants.
Choose flat black
Many 1970s hanging planters were made from knotted cord, which had a rather rustic look. Smarten up this trad macramé simply by exchanging coarse thread for smart black cord and glossy beading.
Many 1970s hanging planters were made from knotted cord, which had a rather rustic look. Smarten up this trad macramé simply by exchanging coarse thread for smart black cord and glossy beading.
Keep the backdrop clean
Hang an old-school macramé planter against a pure white backdrop to display it cleanly and confidently. The texture-rich cord and earthy tones make a sharp contrast to the fresh wall behind.
Hang an old-school macramé planter against a pure white backdrop to display it cleanly and confidently. The texture-rich cord and earthy tones make a sharp contrast to the fresh wall behind.
Give the plant star billing
If your houseplant is lush enough, it will conceal almost all of the planter, so there’s no need to splash out on anything too decorative. This image shows how an inexpensive plastic planter can do the job perfectly.
If your houseplant is lush enough, it will conceal almost all of the planter, so there’s no need to splash out on anything too decorative. This image shows how an inexpensive plastic planter can do the job perfectly.
Make it hot, hot, hot!
This bright orange hanging planter creates a zingy focal point in a white and wood kitchen. It shows how even a single plant contained in a dramatic planter can create real impact in a neutral space.
See ideas for decorating with bright orange
This bright orange hanging planter creates a zingy focal point in a white and wood kitchen. It shows how even a single plant contained in a dramatic planter can create real impact in a neutral space.
See ideas for decorating with bright orange
Take the rail way
A simple system of rails, onto which metallic planters can be hooked, creates space for plants or cooking herbs to hang. By positioning the rails across a window, the plants benefit from maximum light and could also help to obscure an unappealing view.
A simple system of rails, onto which metallic planters can be hooked, creates space for plants or cooking herbs to hang. By positioning the rails across a window, the plants benefit from maximum light and could also help to obscure an unappealing view.
Try some timber
These beautiful orchids are growing in ceramic pots suspended from chains, but they have also been cleverly planted within hunks of driftwood and reclaimed timber for a naturalistic look.
These beautiful orchids are growing in ceramic pots suspended from chains, but they have also been cleverly planted within hunks of driftwood and reclaimed timber for a naturalistic look.
Team with other planters
A hanging planter suspended above a raised one produces a concentration of greenery at eye level and just above. It also leaves the floor and surfaces clear for other objects.
Find ways to bring the outdoors in
A hanging planter suspended above a raised one produces a concentration of greenery at eye level and just above. It also leaves the floor and surfaces clear for other objects.
Find ways to bring the outdoors in
Double the colour
Add an extra layer of detail to your hanging plant by painting simple terracotta pots in the same shade as the woven hanger. Here, the double dose of pink softly complements the green fern.
Add an extra layer of detail to your hanging plant by painting simple terracotta pots in the same shade as the woven hanger. Here, the double dose of pink softly complements the green fern.
Line them up
By multiplying the number of planters you hang, you can pack a greater visual punch. Line them up neatly and choose matching planters for an ordered look. Here, the plants are hanging from a garden fence, but you could employ the same idea indoors. This idea also maximises vertical space, which is helpful in any garden or room with a small footprint.
TELL US…
Are you tempted by hanging planters? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
By multiplying the number of planters you hang, you can pack a greater visual punch. Line them up neatly and choose matching planters for an ordered look. Here, the plants are hanging from a garden fence, but you could employ the same idea indoors. This idea also maximises vertical space, which is helpful in any garden or room with a small footprint.
TELL US…
Are you tempted by hanging planters? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A delicate hanging planter in shocking pink looks pretty and surprisingly delicate – two words we don’t often associate with macramé! Here, the planter holds a simple glass vase with a single sprig in it for a clean, light look.